‘Concrete warnings’ terror groups mean to incite violence on Temple Mount — report
Citing security official, Kan says PM briefed on the matter ahead of Jewish High Holidays
Israeli officials have “concrete warnings” that terror groups plan to incite violence in and around the Temple Mount ahead of the upcoming Jewish High Holidays, Kan news reported Tuesday, citing an unnamed security official.
The official said the danger was presented during a security assessment that included Prime Minister Yair Lapid, Public Security Minister Omer Barlev and Israel Police chief Kobi Shabtai.
The source also said police had issued restraining orders to known Jewish and Arab agitators to keep away from the site during the upcoming holiday season.
East Jerusalem social media accounts have encouraged Muslims to visit the Temple Mount throughout the upcoming Jewish holidays, particularly during the morning and afternoon, when Jews are allowed to visit.
Palestinian news outlet WAFA reported that the call went out due to an increase in Jewish prayer activity at the flashpoint holy site and other activities Palestinians consider to be a threat to the status quo.
WAFA also reported that some Jewish activists hope to bring the four species, specific plants used to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, onto the Temple Mount later next month.
Religious activity on the Temple Mount is governed by the “status quo” that enables Muslims to pray at the site but for non-Muslims to merely visit. Established shortly after the Israeli conquest of East Jerusalem in the 1967 Six Day War, Jews have in recent years sometimes violated the measure and have begun to pray, even in quorums.
Numerous court cases have bolstered the rights of Jews to visit the Temple Mount while diminishing the ability of police to prevent them from praying there.
The Temple Mount in Jerusalem is the holiest place in Judaism and the third-holiest place in Islam, as well as a frequent flashpoint for violence.
According to Judaism, it is the site of the biblical temples. Muslims believe it is the place from which the prophet Mohammad ascended into heaven.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque, which sits atop the mount, was originally constructed in the late 7th century but was rebuilt in its current form in the 11th century.
Clashes at the site have often spilled over into violence in other locations. In May of 2021 violence there escalated into an 11-day war between Israel and the Hamas terror group in Gaza.
